05-07-2023, 10:14 PM
(03-07-2023, 07:29 PM)VK6ZFG Wrote: The normal earth rod (13mm dia, 1440mm long) at a house premise is for mains earthing purposes. It relies on all the other earth electrodes in the surrounding area for it to work effectively. It forms part of the MEN (Multiple Earthed Neutral) system. It caters for 50Hz. It is not very effective for lightning protection where were the energy is in the form of a short pulse of energy mainly in the 100kHz range associated with a very high voltage and current. At HF in the MHz range it is even less effective. As the frequency goes up lead length and inductance becomes somewhat important. The earthing system may possibly even start to behave like the high impedance end of a half wave dipole!
Hi Igor,
I was planning on using a earth stake as well actually - soil type is predominantly clay based in my area, and seems to stay wet most of the year. I hadn't considered that the earthing system might end up as part of the antenna, though thinking about it, of course it could.
What would be a better solution in your experience?